Ghana AIDS Commission defends lubricant distribution as vital for HIV prevention

This response follows remarks by Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, who questioned the distribution of these commodities, suggesting a link to LGBTQIA+ activities, which the proposed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill aims to prohibit. John Eliasu Mahama, Acting Director of Policy and Planning at the Commission, clarified that the Ministry of Health procures and distributes these items to the general public based on public health data. He emphasized that the supply is a standard intervention to reduce HIV transmission across all demographics, noting that condoms and lubricants are widely used in heterosexual relationships and among vulnerable groups like sex workers.

He credited these interventions with reducing HIV prevalence in high-risk populations from 17 percent to 4.7 percent over a decade. Dr. Isaac Annan, Director and Advisor on Human Rights in Parliament, supported the Commission, stating that public health interventions should not be confused with promoting LGBTQ+ activities. He highlighted the role of international partners like the Global Fund, which provides financial support for malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV programs, affirming that accepting this support does not undermine Ghana’s sovereignty or dictate domes